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Astrodynamic Standards Distibution Automation

Air Force Space Command

This site is the public interface used to initiate a request for Astrodynamic Standards Software.

The Astrodynamic Standards Software is a software suite of astrodynamic algorithms that are available to Air Force Space Command customers who require interoperability with the Joint Space Operations Center (JSpOC) and/or have requirements for astrodynamic standards capability needed for official work on active U.S. Government sponsored projects.

Due to the sensitive nature of these products, access to this software is tightly controlled. All applicants must be working on Astrodynamic-related programs in support of or in partnership with the U.S. Government. These products are not available for export or for commercial use.  

Why Should You Use AFSPC Astrodynamic Standards?

The Astrodynamic Standards were developed to ensure interoperability for users of the JSpOC satellite catalog. In order to obtain the most accurate prediction, users need to use the same propagator models that were used to generate the satellite catalog. The accuracy of an astrodynamic algorithm is primarily a function of its underlying physics model and the accuracy and compatibility of the data it uses. It is easy to understand that the "better" the underlying physics model or the more accurate the data, the more accurate the algorithm's calculation. However, it is not as intuitively obvious that the prediction model must also be compatible with those models generating the orbital data that it uses as input.

If the data products (either Two-Line Elements (TLEs) or Vector Covariance Messages (VCMs)) produced by the JSpOC orbit determination algorithms are used by a customer with a compatible propagator, they will make the "most accurate" prediction possible. However if the same JSpOC TLE or VCM is used by a customer with a non-compatible propagator, they will get a "less accurate" prediction.

 

Why use Astrodynamic Standards

Figure 1. Predictions with JSpOC vectors using WGS-72 versus WGS-84

Figure 1 gives an example of an actual operational incompatibility when predicting the location of a satellite. A user wanted to upgrade their WGS-72 geopotential model to the more accurate WGS-84. However, they were still receiving their data input in the form of WGS-72 produced vectors from the JSpOC. They had an accuracy requirement for DMSP satellites that a prediction would still be within one kilometer after three days, which they met with their old WGS-72 model (as shown in dark blue in the table above). However, if they had decided to upgrade to the incompatible, "but more accurate,"
tabASDA Software 
Please click here for a full list of Astrodynamic Standards software that can be requested. It includes a brief description of the software and information that allows you to discern which packages will fulfill your government project needs.

Additional help, resources, and reseach papers can be found at Astrodynamic Standards.


 
To initiate a request for Astrodynamic Standards Software click here (select Astrodynamic Standards Request Form as the recipient) and send in all required information.
tabInstructions for requesting ASDA Software 
If you, your Quality Assurance Evaluator/Government Representative (QAE), your Contracting Officer's Technical Representative (COTR), or project management or mission area has access to the NIPRNet, it is highly recommended that you or they go to the Space / Cyberspace Analysis Resource Portal (SARP) at https://halfway.peterson.af.mil/SARP to enter the request there.
 
Making a request from here may take several weeks, whereas a request made via the SARP automatically generates the needed Request Letter and Non-Disclosure Agreement or Memorandum of Agreement. In addition, after approval of the request, the software can usually be downloaded from the SARP directly. Approval is based on who (organization) / what (project or specific mission) / and timeframe (the contract must be current for contractors).

To make an informed choice of the software that will support your work for the government, please review the List of Available Astrodynamic Standards Software.

To initiate a request for software please click here (select Astrodynamic Standards Request Form as the recipient) and send in all required information. Incomplete requests may not be considered.

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